Outdoor trends for the summer - decks, patios, pergolas and opening up the home
Door Quotes
from local door professionals
What are people asking for this Summer? The daylight hours are longer and people are changing their homes to take advantage of the sun - to add value to their homes and also to make living in them more pleasant!
The uncertainty in the housing market does mean that people are choosing renovations over selling homes and buying one with a better outdoor space. And what are they doing to those homes to take advantage of the light?
Michael Cooper of Archicentre says "One of the most cost effective ways of increasing the liveable areas of the home is to extend out into the back garden through a deck with an indoor outdoor link by opening up the back wall of the home."
So how are people opening up their living spaces?
Replacing a wall with floor to ceiling glass doors is a very popular way to open up a living space. Bi-folds are best for this as they collapse completely but sliding doors are also popular, especially if your house can withstand a pocket door.
How do you create a continuous feel?
Once the area is opened up, people will choose from various options to create a continuous look inside and out - using a variety of materials. Flooring can be matched occasionally (for example decking outside and wooden floors within can be used), but more often than not complementary flooring is used, with a combination of wood, cement, tiles or decking being used.
So what are your options for the outside space?
Decking
Decking is popular as you can often match the level inside the home with the level outside easily, whereas cement flooring or tiles will usually require excavation to match the levels.
Pergolas or verandas
Pergolas and verandas offer extra protection from the elements, and some pergolas or veranda's can even have added features like built in lighting.
Conservatories
A conservatory is really a complete room with glass surrounding it, to enhance access to light and warmth. You'll see them mostly in colder climates, but a conservatory with retractable screens or surrounding bi-fold doors can give you the best of both worlds in Winter and Summer.
Outdoor kitchens
Gone are the days where Dad BBQ'd outside while Mom made the salad. BBQ's are sociable events and having an outdoors kitchen is very popular - work space, built in bins, lighting, even a fridge or gas stove.
Patio's
Patio's are a great option for withstanding wear and tear, whether they are concrete or tiled. Tiling can be easily matched with the style of the indoors flooring, and coloured cement options can also be used to blend aesthetics.
Other articles that might interest you
To DIY your deck or hire a professional
What's the difference - patio, pergola, deck, porch, veranda?
How much does a new deck cost?
Find quality door specialists, carpenters, flooring companies by posting your job here.
Door Quotes
from local door professionals
